Machine to rivet twenty short spokes with hub and rim together



March 26, 1935. H. TORMYN El AL 1,995,487

MACHINE TO RIVET TWENTY SHORT SPOKES WITH HUB AND RIM TOGETHER Filed July 29, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Marbh 26, 1935. I. H. TORMYN El AL MACHINE TO RIVET TWENTY SHORT SPOKES WITH HUB AND RIM TOGETHER Filed July 29, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 arm/my a %Mw%z March 26, 1935. H. TORMYN ET AL 1,995,487

MACHINE To RIVET TWENTY SHORT SPOKES WITH HUB AND RIM TOGETHER Filed July 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 44; "1 f f 7 I W W l l Y ll [/6 v I amend/(WA a 5 y ai l p March 26,1935. H. TORMYN ET AL. 1,995,437

MACHINE TO RIVET TWENTY SHORT SPOKES WITH HUB AND RIM TOGETHER Filed July 29, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mx ia Q Patented Mar. 26, 1935 umrEojs'rATEs MACHINE To RIVET TWENTY SHORT SPOKES WITH non AND BM TOGETHER Herman 'Tormyn and Frank F. Wietho'fi, Detroit,

Mich assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware 7 Application July29, 1932, SerialjNo. 625,998

12 Claims.-

This invention relates to the manufacture of wire wheels and has particular reference to a machine or die to rivet twenty short spokes betweenthe wheel hub and rim. The machine of the invention is one of a series of ten and in sequence of operation follows the machine ordie of our copending applications, Serial Nos. 625,995, 625,- 996 and 625,997, filed July 29, 1932.

The die of the invention isapplied to a conventional press and comprises a lower die shoe and-a top shoe. Ihe assembled hub, short spokes and rim are positioned in the die shoe with a fixture to form a backing for the spoke heads inside the hub. Suitable punches and the. means to operate them are mounted in the die shoe and are operated by the movement of the topshoe on the die shoe. The spokes are suitablyheld by cooperating anvils on the two shoes adjacent the rim and a rubber pad is provided on the top shoe so that the anvils will be properly equalized and exert a substantially similar pressure on all of the spokes. A suitable plunger mounted in the top shoe strikes against and presses'on the fix ture when the top shoe is moved toward the die shoe. V 7 1 On the drawings;

Figure 1 is a front view vention applied. r

Figure 2 is a side View of the structure of Figurel.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detailed View through the die of the invention taken onthe line 33 of Figure showing theshoe descended on the lower shoe and with the punches heading the spoke ends at the rim.

. Figure 4 is a View corresponding to Figure 3 but showing the top shoe in raised position and with assembled wheel and headed spokes raised from the die shoe.

' Figure 5 is a plan View substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4. I

Figure 6 is a perspective View anvils on the die shoe.

Figures '7 and Bare perspective views of two of the elements of the fixture for backing the spokes inside thewheel hub. V

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the anvils of the top die.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates the upright frame of the press. On the frame there is. mounted the source of power 4 such as an electric motor having the pulley (i to drive the belt 8., The belt 8 in'turn drives the flywheel l8 and the shaft 12. The shaft 12 extends thro g t e machine and the other side has of a presswith the inof one of the a pinion (not shown) secured thereto which drives a large gear wheel 14 rigidly mountedon the shaft 16 having a crank 18 intermediate itsends turn connected tothe'top shoe 26 of the die'28.

The lower shoe of the die is indicated at 30 and has the hydro-pneumatic cylinder 32 havinga suitable piston (not shown) connected by a piston rod-34 toa plate 36. The plate 36 is inturn connected by means of the rods 38 to the plate 40'on which there restthe pressure pins 42. Thecyl- 'inder- 32 isof the hydro-pneumatic type and is provided with a suitable pipe system to allow ingress and egress of the air and liquid in timed relation with theaction of the press. The plates 36 and 40 are slidable in the base of the press 30.

The crosshead- 24 also; has a hydro-pneumatic cushion which includes an air pipe 44 1eadingto an air chamber 46 having the piston 48 therein andan oil line 50leading to a chamber 52. A partition 5'4 separates the chambers 46 and 52 and suitable passages (not shown) are provided.

in the partition to allow the oil to-flow from one chamber to the other. The piston 48 has. a stem 56 the end of which is bored and which extends through a partition indicated at 60. There is a spring loaded check valve at the end of the bore at 62. The headend 62' is adapted to contact with the piston 64 at the lower part of the chamber 52. A suitable coil spring 66, between the head 62 and the partition 60 constantly urges the piston 48 and stem 56 downwardly. The parts described. are mounted in a cylinder 68 formed on the crosshead 24. Excessivepressure below thepartition 60 will crack the check valve to allow oil to flow to the chamber 52. n

An operating handle '70 adjacent the'front' of the machinefoperates a linkage 72 to operate a clutch to throw the wheel 14 into operation. The

clutch is so arranged that after one rotation of the crank 18 the machine will stop and the clutch must again be thrown into operation by the movement of the handle 70. A stop brakis shown at 14 with the'brake shoes '76 and'the operating linkage 78. v

The parts so far described andtheir operation are conventional and per se form no part of the invention.

' Referring to Figures 3 and4the bottom or die shoe 30 comprises the lower flat portion 80 which has rigidly mounted at the periphery thereof the upper and lower bearing forming rings 82*and '84 secured to the base 80 by means of the machine bolts 86. i The flat bottom member has the inner periphery of the lower bearing forming member 84 forming a cylindrical surface indicated at 88 in which there is slidably mounted the pad 90 constantly urged upwardly by the pressure pins 42 receiving the upward pressure of the piston in the cylinder 32. I

The upper peripheral portion of the head 90 is provided with ten grooves 92 in which there are received the ten punch slides 94 having the punches 96 mounted at the inner ends thereof and held in the punch slides by means of set screws 98 as shown in Figures 3 and 4.. A top retaining ring 100, having a plurality of tines 102 projecting downwardly between the punch holders 94, forms a bearing and retaining means for the punch slides 94. The retaining ring is secured to the pad 90 by means of the machine Eachfpunch holder 94 has a recessed portion 108 atiits rear and between the forks formed by the recess there is pivoted the arm or link 110 by means of'the pivot pin 112. The outer end of the arm is formed into a rounded head 114 which is received inthe bearing portions 116 and 118 I formed-at the inner edges of the bearing forming rings 82 and 84. The inner ends of the links 110 are machined to bear against a correspondwhich is shaped as shown at 122 to receive the similarly shaped portion of rim 124.. The ring is secured to the pad 90 by means of machine o t l v Secured to the top of thering 120 around its outer periphery adjacent the rim 124 there are the ten anvils 128 one of which is shown in perspective in Figure 9. The anvils are secured in place by means ofsuitable machine bolts fastened through openings 130 at the ends of the anvils. Each anvil has the steps 132 and 134, the former of which is somewhat elevated relative to the latter. Each step has the groove or recessed portion-136 which is shaped snugly to receive one spoke of the wheel. I

The central portion of the pad 90 as well as the flat portion 80 and the die shoe are hollow as indicated at 138, and mounted in the pad immediately surrounding the hollow-portion .138 is the positioning ring 140 to receive the hub shell 142. The upper inner periphery of the-ring 140 is shaped as shown at 144 to receive the outer edge of the hub shell 142. The upper portion of the ring 140 is provided with a pluralityof recesses 146 the purpose of which is to receive the spokes 148, each recess accommodating two spokes.

1 Prior to positioning the hub shell 142 in the opening 188 and on the shoulder 144 of the ring 140a fixture 150 is secured thereto and mounted outwardly so that the ends of the spokes will project through the openings in the rim 12 4. This backing ring 152 is shown. in perspective n Figure 8. A head shown in perspective in Figure '7 has a flange 162 which fits over the edge of a central opening in the backing member 152. The head 160 extends through the opening in the bolt flange 164 and has pivoted in slots 166 around its periphery the levers 168, the inner ends 170 of which are received in the groove 172 in the head 174 of a bolt 176 threaded at 178 and received in the threaded portion 180 of the center of the head 160. The outer ends 182 of the levers 168 are adapted to strike against the inturned flange 183 on the inner periphery of the bolt flange 164. When the bolt 176 is screwed downward (when considering the structure of Figures 3 and 4) the engagement of the groove 172 with the end 170 will force the levers to the position shown in Figure 3. A cap 185 is secured to and covers the lower end of the head 160.

By the application of a wrench to the squared head 184, the bolt 1'76 may be turned upwardly to swing the levers 168 on their pivots 186 and to throw the ends 182 inwardly of the head 160 so that the fixture 150 may be withdrawn from the hub shell. The backing ring 152 and the head 160 may be secured together in any'suitable way.

The upper or top die 26 is suitably'secured to the crosshead 24. The central portion of the top die 26 is hollow as indicated at 188 for the reception of the shank portion 190 of a plunger 192. The plunger 192 is secured to the piston 64 by means of the machine bolt 193 and a suitable retaining ring 196 is secured by means of machine bolts 198 to the cylinder 68 and limits the downward movement of the piston 64 relative to the top shoe. The plunger 192 has the flanged head 194 which isadapted to strike against the upper flat surface of the backing member 152 when the top die descends on the lower die. The pneumatic part of the upper hydro-pneumatic cushion acts on the piston 64 insofar as the fixture 150 is concerned.

Inner'and outer retaining rings 200 and 202 secured'to the top die 26 by means of machine bolts 204 hold an anvil retaining ring 206 in place. Each retaining ring 200 is provided with suitable shoulders which cooperate with corresponding shoulders on the retaining ring 206 the structure being indicatedat 208. An annular rubber'pad 210 is positioned between'the anvil ring 206 and the top die 26. V

The lower face of the anvil ring 206 has secured thereto the ten top anvils 212 which are similar to the anvil 128. The anvils 212 and 128 mate or cooperate with each other and permanently and rigidly hold the spoke ends therebetween during-the action of the punches 96, as shown in Figure 3.

The position of the anvils when they retain the spokes is shown in Figure 3. The anvils 128 and 212 never contact at their surfaces 213 but when the spokes are held therebetween they very tightly and firmly grip the spoke ends which keep the surfaces 213 slightly spaced. In this figure the rubber pad 210 acts to equalize the pressure of the upper anvil so that all of the spokes are held under substantially the same pressure.

Referring to Figure 4 it will be seen that withdrawing hooks 214 are provided. Preferably two of these hooks are used one at each side of the machine 180 apart. The hooks 214 have the T-heads 216 secured to the outer retaining ring 202 by the machine bolts 218. A lever 222 in a passage .224 in the lower end of the hooks 21-4 has toothed end 226 which is adapted "to migage under the top of the flange of the 124. The lower edge of the hook end 226 is beveled as shown in Figure 4, the purpose of whichis to allow it to ride over the edge flange when the top shoe 26 is descending. The passage 224 is sufficiently large to allow the hook-226 to turn thereinto and to :pass over the edge flange. When the lever 222 and its end 226 have passed over the edge flange of rim 124 .a coil spring 228 enclosed in the passage 230 in the hooks 214 pulls the lever 222 to the position shown in Figure 4 so that when the top shoe 26 is raised the hooks 214 will pull the assembled hub shell, rim and spokes away from its position on the die shoe 30. When the top shoe has been raised the operator may seize rim 124 and pull the assembly from the machine so that the fixture 150 may be removed and .a'new assembly inserted in the machine. The ring 100 and pad have suitable passages 231 (Figure 5) to allow the hooks to move into the die shoe.

The operation of the device is as follows: the position of the parts before. the top shoe descends on the lower shoe is shown in Figure 4. The hub shell 142; rim 124 and spokes 148 have been hand assembled and with the fixture i=0 will be positioned on the lower or die shoe 30 instead of suspended as shown in the figure. The

operator now moves the handle '70 to cause the crank 18 to make one revolution. This will force (1) the top die 26 to descend on thedie shoe 30 and bring the plunger 192 in contact with the backing member 152; (2) the upper anvils 212 will strike the spokes and rigidly grip them at the rim, the rubber pad 210 being compressed; (3) the outer retaining ring 202 to contact with the lower retaining ring (4) and the spacer 232 surrounding the guide bolt 234 in contact with the upper bearing forming ring 82. All of theseparts do not contact at the same time, the plunger 192 first strikingthe backing member 152, the anvils 212 then contacting the spokes, the ring 202 then striking the. retaining ring 100, and when the crank 18 reaches the bottommost position of its movement the spacers 232 will strike the ring 82. The movements which take place due to the contact of the various parts mentioned is as follows: The 'pad 90 will be pushed downward, first against the resistance of the' pneumatic part of the hydro-pneumatic cushion, and then against the entire resistance of the cushion, which will cause links to be swung on the pivots formed by the heads 114 and surface 116, 118, to force the punch holders 94 inwardly to cause the punches 96 to head the ends of the spokes 148 at the rim. The anvils 128 and 212 will rigidly grip the spoke ends adjacent the rim while the punches are acting. These operations are in timed relation and will permanently head the spokes and when the heading operation is complete the top die will raise to the position shown in Figure 4, allowing the pressure pins 42 to push the pad 90 upward to withdraw the punches. The hooks 214w'ill carry the wheel up with them. 4

We claim:

1. In a machine for riveting the short spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and rim, a die shoe a reciprocable pad mounted therein, means on the pad to position the assembled hub shell, rim and spokes, a fixture secured in the hub shell and abuttingthe headed ends of the spokes rigidly to hold them in their openings in the shell, .a plurality of anvils on the .die shoe adjacent the rim to receive and positively position the spoke ends, 'a' top die movable to and from the die .shee, alholding member on the top die, a plurality of anvils on the holding member interfitting or mating with the anvils on the die shoe rigidly to hold the spokeends in position adjacent the rim, a plunger on the top die adapted to acts-on the fixture, a'plurality of punches movable to and from the rim and adapted to head the spoke ends at the rim, meansto move the punches, the movement of said top die toward said die shoe causing the plunger to strike the fixture and the top die to come in contact with,

the pad to force the pad downward to cause the punch moving means to move the punches to head the spoke ends at the rim. a

2. In a machine for riveting the short spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shelland rim, a die shoe including a reciprocable padmounted theremmeans on the pad to position the assembled hub shell, rim and spokes, a fixture secured,

in the hubshelland abutting the headed ends of the spokes rigidly to hold them'in their openings in the shell, a plurality of anvils on the die shoe adjacent the rim to receive and positively posi tion the spoke ends,-a top die movable to and from the die shoe, a holding member on-the top die, a

resilient element between the holding element and the top die, a plurality of anvils on the holding-member interfitting'or mating with the anvils on the die shoerigidly to hold the spoke ends inposition adjacent the rim, a plunger on the top die adapted toact'on the-fixture, a plurality of punches movable to and from the rim andadapted to head thespoke ends at the rim, means to move the punchea'the movement of said top die toward said die shoe causing the plunger to strikethe fixture and the topdie to come in contact with the padto compress the resilient element and to force the pad downward to cause the punch moving means to move the punches to 7 and adapted to move the slides toward and away from-the rim when the pad is reciprocated, atop die reciprocable relative to the die shoe and adapted to cause the reciprocation of the padya plurality of anvils on said top die mating with and cooperating with the anvils-on the die shoe,

said'anvils on the die shoe and on the top shoe adapted firmly togrip. and hold thespoke ends in the :rim, and means to movethe top die relative to'the die shoe? to cause the reciprocation oi the pad and-the movement of the punches to rivet the spoke, ends. 1

4. Ina machine for riveting a I plurality of spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and the rim, a die shoe'having alpad resiliently and reciprocably mounted therein, a plurality of anvilsshaped to receive the spokes andcircularly arranged. on the pad, aplurality of punch slides circularly arranged in the pad fortslidingfmovement to and from the anvils, punches in said slides,'said die shoe having arms pivoted to a stationary part thereof and to the punch slides and adapted to move the slides toward and away from the rim when the pad is reciprocated, a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoeand adapted to cause the reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of anvils on said top die mating with and 00- operating with the anvils on the die shoe, said anvils on the die shoe and on the top shoe adapted firmly to grip and hold the spoke ends at the rim, means to move the top die relative to the die shoe to cause the reciprocation of the pad and the movement of the punches to rivet the spoke ends, and means on the top die to grip and raise the wheel from the die shoe when the top die is moved away from the die shoe.

5. In a machine for riveting a plurality of spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and the rim, a die shoe having a pad resiliently and reciprocably mounted therein, a plurality of anvils shaped to receive the spokes and circularly arranged on the pad, a plurality of punch slides circularly arranged in the pad for sliding movement to and from the anvils, punches in said slides, said 'die shoe having arms pivoted. to a stationary part thereof and to 'thepunch slides and adapted to move the slides toward andaway from the rim when the padis reciprocated,v a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoe and adapted to cause the reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of anvils on-said top die mating with and cooperating with theanvils on the die shoe,

said anvils on the die shoe and on .the topshoe adapted firmly to grip and hold the spoke ends at the rim, a backing member in the wheel hub to back the spokes inside the hub when the punches are acting, and means to move the top die relative to the die shoeito cause the recipro- "cation of the pad. and the movement of the punches to rivet thespoke ends.

6. In a machine for riveting a plurality of spokes of avwire wheel between the hub shell and the rim, a die shoe having a pad resiliently and reciprocably mounted therein; a plurality of anvils shaped to receive the spokes and circularly arranged on the pad, a plurality of punch slides circularly arranged in the pad for sliding movement to and from the anvils, punches'in said slides, said die shoe having arms pivoted to a stationary part thereof and to the punch slides and adapted to move the slides toward and away from the rim when the pad is reciprocated, a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoe and adapted to cause the reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of anvils on said. top die mating with and cooperating with the anvils on the die shoe,

said anvils on the die shoe; and on the top shoe adapted firmly to grip and hold the spoke ends at the rim, a resilient means in the top die between the anvils and thetop die, and means to move the top .die relative to the die shoe to cause the reciprocation of the pad and the movement of the punches to rivet the spoke ends.

'7. In a machine for riveting a.plurality of spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and the rim, a die shoe having a pad resiliently and reciprocably mounted therein, a plurality of anvils shaped to receive the spokes and circularly arranged on .the pad, a plurality of punch slides circularly arranged in the pad for sliding movement to and from the-anvils, punches in said slidesysaid die shoe having arms pivoted to a stationary part thereof and to the punch slides and adapted to move the slides toward and away from the rim when the pad is reciprocated, a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoe and eoaesv adapted to cause the reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of anvils on said top die mating with and cooperating with the anvils on the die shoe, said anvils on the die shoe and on the top shoe adapted firmly to grip and hold the spoke ends at r the rim, a resiliently mounted plunger in the top die, a backing member in the wheel hub toback the spokes inside the hub when the punchesare acting, said plunger acting to press the said backing member rigidly in the wheel hub when the top die is moved toward the die shoe, and means to move the top die relative to the die shoe to cause the reciprocation of the pad and the movement of thepunchesto rivet the spoke ends.

8. In a machine for riveting a plurality of spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and rim, a die shoe having a padresiliently mounted therein, a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoe means operated by the reciprocating movement of the top die to cause a reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of cooperating and mating spoke gripping members on the pad and .top dieadapted rigidly to grip and hold the spoke ends adjacent the rim, a plurality of punches slidably mounted in the pad, and means on the die shoe interconnectedwith the punches to cause the punches to head the spoke ends when the pad is reciprocated.

9. In a machine for riveting a plurality of spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and rim, a'dieshoe having a pad resiliently mounted therein, a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoe means operated by the reciprocating movement of the top die to cause a reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of cooperating and mating spoke gripping members on the pad and top die adapted rigidly to grip and hold the spoke ends adjacent the rim, a plurality of punches slidably mounted in the pad, means on the die shoe interconnected with the punches to cause the punches to head the spoke ends when the pad is reciprocated, and means on the top die to grip and move the wheel therewith when the top die is moved away from the die shoe,

, 10. In a machine for riveting a plurality of spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and rim, a die shoe having a pad resiliently mounted therein, a top die reciprocable relative to the die shoe means operated by the reciprocating movement of the top die to cause a reciprocation of the pad, a plurality of cooperating and mating spoke gripping members on the pad and top die adapted rigidly to grip and hold the spoke ends adjacent the rim, a. plurality of punches slidably mounted in the pad, resilient means between the gripping members and. the top die, said resilient means being under compression when the spokes are riveted, and means on the die shoe interconnected with the punches to cause the punches to head the spoke ends when the pad, is reciprocated.

, 11. In a machine for simultaneously riveting a plurality of short spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and rim, a lower die shoe adapted to receive the assembled hub shell, short spokes and rim, a fixture secured within the hub shell to back the heads of the spokes and hold the heads rigidly in the spoke openings, a plurality of circularly arranged and reciprocably mounted punches carried on the lower die shoe, means carried on the lower die shoe to move the punches, a top die movable to and from the lower die shoe, cooperating anvils on the top die and lower die shoe to grip and rigidly hold the spoke ends at the rim and means actuated by the movement of the top die toward said'lower die shoe to operate the punch moving means to move the punches to head the spokes at the rim.

12. In a machine for simultaneously riveting a plurality of short spokes of a wire wheel between the hub shell and rim, a lower die shoe adapted to receive the assembled hub shell, short spokes and rim, a plurality of circularly arranged punch slides slidably mounted on the lower die shoe, punches carried in each slide, means to move the slides, a top die movable toward and away from said lower die shoe, a holding element mounted on the top die, resilient means between the holding element and the top die, cooperating mating anvil's'circularly arranged in the holding element and in the lower die-shoe and having cooperating grooves to receive the spokes adjacent the rim and to rigidly hold them, the movement cause the punches to head the spokes in the rim. 10

, HERMAN TORMYN. 7 FRANK 1 WIE'IHOFF." 

